Aerospace physiology refers to effects on the human body caused by characteristics of the aerospace environment.
This subject includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
In the military environment Aerospace Physiology is required training for all aircrew. USAF aircrew attend initial "Phys Trng" during their aircrew training pipeline. Initial training consists of altitude chamber flights, including a rapid decompression flight, and academic classes. The topics of these classes include[1]:
"6.1.1. Physiological Effects of Altitude. Teaches the characteristics of the atmosphere; anatomy and physiology of circulation and respiration; circulatory and respiratory responses to environmental stresses; hypoxia and hyperventilation, their causes, prevention, recognition, and treatment; and physiology of trapped and evolved gas problems, including cause, prevention, recognition, and treatment.
6.1.2. Human Performance. Deals with self-imposed stresses, oxygen discipline, alcohol, carbon monoxide, blood donation, shock, extremes of temperature, diet, dehydration, drugs, fatigue, circadian rhythms, physical fitness, principles of cockpit/crew resource management, and situational awareness.
6.1.3. Oxygen Equipment. Deals with the various types of oxygen masks and regulators; aircraft oxygen systems; gaseous, liquid, on-board oxygen generation systems and chemical oxygen; and the physiological aspects of the emergency use and inspection of this equipment.
6.1.4. Cabin Pressurization and Decompression. Teaches the principles of cabin pressurization, rapid and slow decompression and the possible physical and physiological consequences, and the procedures to be followed after cabin depressurization.
6.1.5. Pressure Breathing. Deals with the need for pressure breathing, its limitations, pressure breathing techniques, and precautions.
6.1.6. Principles and Problems of Vision. Teaches basic anatomy of the visual system, physiology of day and night vision, factors affecting vision, dark adaptation, scanning methods, flash blindness and hazards of lasers. If available, include an unaided night vision demonstration during this curriculum subject to practice methods of improving night vision.
6.1.7. Spatial Disorientation and Other Sensory Phenomena. Teaches how the body orients itself on the ground and compares this with the effects of flight. Teaches the characteristics and specific examples of Types 1, 2 and 3 spatial disorientation. Includes an explanation of the central and peripheral visual modes and their effects on orientation. Addresses illusions derived from vision, semicircular canals and otolith organs to include the G excess effect. Night Vision Goggles (NVG) will be addressed to those aircrews whose unit mission includes their use, emphasizing their use, adjustment,illusions and perceptual problems. Covers problems associated with motion sickness. This training for refresher students is required only for pilots, navigators, flight surgeons, aerospace physiologists, flight engineers, boom operators, loadmasters, and aerial gunners. All JSUPT students and navigator students entering the fighter/attack track after initial flight training are given a ride in a spatial disorientation demonstrator.
6.1.8. Noise and Vibration. Teaches the basic anatomy of hearing. Discussion includes the sources, harmful effects of exposure to hazardous noise and vibration, and means to avoid overexposure.
6.1.9. Speed. Deals with the aeromedical aspects of high speed flight, aircraft ejection, flight instruments,cockpit temperatures, closure rate, visual problems, etc.
6.1.10. Acceleration. Teaches the physical and physiological effects of acceleration forces (G-forces), human tolerance, and means used to raise G tolerance and endurance (required only for aircrew members of trainer, attack, reconnaissance, and fighter aircraft).
6.1.11. Escape From Aircraft. Teaches the physiological principles and problems of escape under different conditions of altitude and speed. Covers the principles of crash survival.
6.1.12. Physiological Aspects of Ejection Seat and Parachute Training. Includes a mandatory ride in the air charged ejection seat trainer for all JSUFT students. Other students undergoing original or passenger training, who are going to fly in ejection seat aircraft, receive instruction and a ride in this trainer if it is available at the local physiological training unit. When required by MAJCOM supplements or JSUFT syllabi, includes training in the care and use of the parachute, parachute control and parachute landing techniques.
Following initial training, to stay current they are required to attend a refresher course every 5 years. This course includes and altitude chamber flight as well as academics in multiple topics."
The Aerospace Physiology careerfield has recently changed its name in the Air Force. The new name is Aerospace & Operational Physiology.
This highly specialized careerfield combines the traditional aircrew physiology instructor capabilities with additional human performance enhancement and human factors training qualifications. You can now find Aerospace Physiology personnel working in a variety of locations outside the traditional altititude and dive chamber facilities. These instructors now fill positions in various locations such as safety offices reviewing mishap data/human factors and Health and Wellness Centers teaching a variety of health promotions programs.
The School of Aerospace Medicine, located at Brooks City Base in San Antonio, Texas is the home to the Air Force Aerospace Physiology Instructor training program. Due to the closure of Brooks City Base, the School of Aerospace Medicine is being moved to a new facility at Wright Patterson AFB, OH.